Stick it to the Man

Before coming to Germany, I needed to open up a new bank account in order to withdraw from ATMs without a fee being added. It was stupid and difficult and I learned that Bank of America has the worse customer service in the land of banking. After two hours on the phone with them, my sister and mom finally told me I was being too nice. (Really, too nice? That can be a problem in the world? What about that whole spiel of catching flies with honey? I have been lied to all my life.) Irregardless, enough said that I don't like confrontation.

Two weeks or so ago, I bought I train ticket that I was told I could refund after buying another one in Tübingen. It makes sense here, I promise. They would put the money toward my new ticket as soon as I could prove I was a student. Since I'm now officially a student, I went to the train station to get my money back. 

I was basically told I got screwed. Out of one hundred and nintey-eight dollars. Excuse me? Come again? WHAT?! I've already learned that my crocodile tears will not sway these people, so instead Nick helped me by talking and we got the same answer. No luck, Chuck.

At this point I was just ready to pay for the damned thing so I wouldn't need to buy another ticket back to the house. Nick wasn't having any of it though. He was my German-speaking avenger, since I could only blubber beyond the things I knew what to say (''No, no. The lady told me I could get a refund!'') and insults are not high on my German vocab lists...

Today we spent the entire morning calling offices, officials and clammering about the injustice done on my part. Apparentely the Germans do not care. 

I, myself, would just give up. OOOH no! That is not the German way to do things. Here, you make your complaints be heard. We are getting a lawyer, as a student the goverment will even pay for it. Yeah, go ahead and read that again... Becca's going to court. *gulp* 

So how's that for being nice, Mom? 

These are the things that students need to learn in school. How do I open a bank account? How do I book a hotel room? What do I wear to meet a lawyer? I will never forget       but will I be using the quadratic formula anytime soon?  Maybe when I become that computer engineer I've always wanted to be. (That and a princess toothfairy from outer space.) When am I going to need to learn how to act in front of a lawyer. Apparently in the next week. 

Wish me luck!